Lettuce is the crop that makes a vegetable patch feel productive within weeks, not months.
Lettuce is one of the fastest crops from sowing to plate, and succession sowing every couple of weeks keeps a steady supply rather than one big glut. Loose-leaf varieties are more forgiving of a late harvest than hearting types.
Sowing & growing calendar
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | Sow in March | Sow in April | Sow in May | Sow in June | Sow in July | Sow in August | ||||||
| Harvest | Harvest in May | Harvest in June | Harvest in July | Harvest in August | Harvest in September | Harvest in October |
Care details
- Sow March – August
Sow little and often for a continuous supply.
- Harvest May – October
Pick outer leaves or whole heads as needed.
Growing tips & common problems
- Sow little and often rather than one large batch, to avoid a glut that bolts before you can eat it.
- Provide light shade in the height of summer — heat is the main trigger for bolting.
- Pick outer leaves from loose-leaf varieties rather than pulling the whole plant, for a longer harvest.
Grows well with
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